The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-05-12

Dolly united the bundle, and as the jacket
rolled over to her view, her cheek blanched.
"Great HeavensI A Zouave's Jacket Whose
IS it, i wonderP He said there was letter in
it." She felt there; no letter. Whose can
it be! oh. know. Some one Of the boys has
sent it, thinking could make it over for Clare !;
how thoughtful. Well, dear, you shall have a
new jacket for Christmas" and as she exam
ined it she said to herself, 1T is not much
worn. Here is hole in the side of it, and the
braid is little faded. Yes, Clare, GO to bed
and mamma will try and make you a nice little
jacket"
After tucking him snugIy away, she began
her loving task. She first ripped off the bright
red braid; then she took the arms out; then
began ripping the lining. She had not gone
Tar when her scissors came in contact with a
piece OF brown leather. She examined it and
found it was sewed to the lining. To rip it
loose was the work of a moment. As she held
1t IN her hand, she exclaimed, "Why, what
Can ii be2"
When she had opened It, what did her eyes
beholdf Three $50 bills and a scrap of paper
What does this mean? Does Harry know
about it? Let me see what is written"
What" she exclaimed, "am / dreaming2
My husbands signature Oh can il boz"
She went to the next room and called, Mrs.
Jarvis, do come in; don't know if am in my
right mind or not. Look! am rich And this
note, read it am all of tremble"
Mrs. Jarvis did as directed, and Bills letter
was read. After the widow had partly sub
dued her grief, Mrs. Jarvis congratulated her
on her good fortune.
Dolly hardly closed her eyes that night,
so anxious was she for the morning. She went
over In her mind the things which she intended
to purchase. She would roll over and kiss
Clare in her joy, exclaiming. $3.50! / am
rich, aud Clare shall have n new jacket for
Christmas And to think, dear Bills money
will buy it."
The next day Dolly, Mrs Jarvis and Clare
might have been seen in clothing store,
selecting jacket She bought several things
that she needed, and returned home looking
very happy. As she clasped her boy in her
arms she murmured: Wont we have a merry
Christmas tomorrow, dear2 And to think that
1t all comes from your dear papa. But while
we are rejoicing over the birth of the blessed
Savior, papa is with him, singing with innu-
merable multitudes, GLORY to God in the
highest, peace on earth, good will to men,"
Christmas day Dolly had invited Mr.. and
Mrs. Jarvis to dine with her; Harry also came,
with his wife, and was soon appriSed of the
good luck. They had hardly finished when a
knock was heard. Dolly answered it.
Dolly"
Good day, sir"
Dolly, don't you know me7"
Jack" exclaimed Dolly.
Yes, Jack H. i have come to wish you
a merry Christmas am / welcomed"
Welcome, you dear, good soul; indeed you
are. Harry, don't you know Jack n, Of
Co. FS"
why, Jack, old boy, how are you, and
where have you been p
After the greetings each one told the story of
the past-Jack, of the letter Dolly had not re-
ceived and Jim's negligence in forwarding the
ZOuave jacket, and all up to the present. Before
Jack left that evening there had been something
said, and Dolly seemed very happy. Three
months afterward you might have seen gentle
man and lady and little curly headed boy on
a train bound West. Do you want to know
who they were? Well, they were Jack and his
bride Dolly, and little Clare, whose Christmas
coat was to have been made out of Papa's
Jacket"